Jan. 17, 2007
The Air Force wrestling team is back in action this week, starting with a dual meet at Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 20. The Falcons will then travel to the Wendy's Duals, hosted by Ashland University, on Jan. 21. In addition, another group of wrestlers will head to the Glen Brand Open, hosted by Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday.
Scouting the Falcons...
Air Force holds a 2-4 dual record this season, with wins over Colorado School of Mines and Brown. Leading the way for the Falcons is junior Jake Kriegbaum (141), with a 3-3 dual record.
Last Time Out...
The Falcons went 1-3 at the Lone Star Duals two weeks ago, falling to No. 4 Oklahoma State, top-ranked Division II school Central Oklahoma and 19th-ranked Wisconsin, while defeating Brown, 18-13. Senior Bridger Lord led the Falcons with a pair of victories, while Zach Valdez, Stephen Makuka, Jake Kriegbaum, Stephen Crozier, Jacob Devlin, Jordan Tribble and Duane Miller also grabbed wins for Air Force.
Scouting the Panthers...
Pittsburgh, receiving votes in the latest USA Today/InterMat/NWCA Coaches poll, enters this weekend's dual with a 4-3 overall record after falling to No. 21 Michigan State last weekend. The Panthers are led by a pair of wrestlers in the national rankings--Keith Gavin, rated third at 174 pounds and Matt Kocher, ranked eighth at 157 pounds.
At The Wendy's Duals...
Competing along with Air Force at this weekend's Wendy's Duals will be host Ashland, Appalachian State, Cleveland State, 21st-ranked Kent State, Ohio and Ohio State.
The Lineups...
The Falcons' probable lineup for this week's dual matches follows:
125: Zach Valdez OR Samuel Sheppard; 133: Stephen Makuka; 141: Jake Kriegbaum; 149: Chris Szabolcs; 157: Bridger Lord OR Zach Lord; 165: Duane Miller; 174: Stephen Crozier; 184: Jacob Devlin OR Jordan Tribble; 197: Peter Bozynski; HWT: Anthony Stegeman.
Meanwhile, expected to compete at the Glen Brand Open are Kurt Spranger (133), Juancarlos Pino (133/141), Andrew Teigeler (149), Anthony Dorward (157), Joshua Lopez (157), Felix Abeyta (165), Justin Shadrix (165), Akira Nervik (165), Tyler French (174), AJ Harris (174/184), Casey Butikofer (197) and Steve Larson (HWT).
Up Next...
The Falcons have three more dual meets next weekend, opening its conference slate at home versus North Dakota State on Saturday, Jan. 27, followed by a match-up with in-state rival Adams State. Air Force will then travel to Greeley, Colo., on Jan. 28, to face Portland State on a neutral mat. The team will also send another group to the Borah Duals, hosted by Western State, on Jan. 27.
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